Post binder



Aug; 24

P16. UNGER POST BINDER Filed Ja n} 13, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheff, 1

, Paul 0.l/ n7er,

Aug. 24 1926..

1,597,637 P. p. UNGER POST BINDEFR Filed Jan. 13, 1925 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2I Aug. 24 1926.

1,597,637 -P. O.IUNGER POST BINDER Filed Jan. 13, 192-5 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

mitten stares tsetse? Parent orries.

PAUL O. UNGER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR.TO MCMILLAN 300K COMPANY,GE SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

POST

Application filed January This invention pertains to post binders,

so called by reason of the fact that one of the two clamping or bindingelements to which the cover-boards are hinged is provided with aplurality of upstanding posts or stems to receive and position thenotched or perforated sheets of paper, pamphlets, catalogues, or otherarticles to be bound and held together, the second memherbeing a presserbar or follower similarly notched or perforated to receive the posts,and provided with means for engaging t-he posts after being pressedfirmly down upon the articles bound, which have been previously appliedto the posts and rest upon the baseplate or post-carrying member. Meansare provided for disengaging the clampswhen it is desired to remove,rearrange, replace, or add to the contents of the binder.

The invention is designed to overcome certain defects which havemanifested themselves in this very useful type of binder, and primarilythe tendency of the locking or clamping elements to loosen their holdupon the posts in handling the binders, particularly when theircontentsare bulky and proportionately heavy, This undersirable happening is dueto the fact that clamps are commonly employed of a type in which eachconsists of a comparatively thin plate of metal, either notched, orperforated to encircle one or another of the posts, or arranged with oneedge bearing against a side thereof, the clamping plates being caused tostand perpendicular to the posts when it. is desired to release them,and to be tilted to an angular position for engagement with the posts.Such plates when tilted, present a sharp angular edge to one side, ortwo such edges to the opposite sides of a post, and such edges tend tobite into the metal osts, and to hold more andmore firmly in directproportion to the increase in force tending to pull upon the clamps ina, direc tion to maintain them in tilted position. It is customary toarrange the several clamps of such binders in like position relativelyto the several posts; that is to say,'they.

generally arranged onthe same sideof the several posts, and tllt 1n thesame, d rec:

tion, with the result" that any tendencyof the posts tospring or'bendlin adir ction to free one from its clamp will have alike effectupon all the clamps, and with binders carrying considerable or heavybody-of Brianna.

1a, 1925. semi'ivoj 2,104.

sheets, pamphlets, or the like, there is a strong tendency thus tospring or cantthe posts and to release them from the clamps.

To remedy this defect I arrange different clamps in opposing relationto. each other, or to one another, as two or more than two posts andclamps are employed. Byfthis simpleexpedient, each clamp opposes anymovement of its post in a direction which would tendto free it from anoppositely arranged clamp: Such opposing relation, however,necessitatesa novel arrangement of the mechanism by which the clampsare. moved toandfrom the clamping orholding position. be simple, strong,and operable by a short and simple manipulation of a single element, asby; sliding or turning a knob or button in one or the other direction.

My invention, which-is susceptible vof somewhat varied, embodiment,attains the several objects noted, in a very simple way, well adapted toeconomical and expeditious quantity production, aswill now be pointedout in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y I

' Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, in longitudinalvertical section, showing the clamps in substantially perpendicularrelation to the posts, or in releasing position; t

Fig; 2, a' similar sectional View but showinn; the clamps tilted tocramping or locking position; I

Fig. 3, a fragmentary perspectives-dew of the several parts of; theclamping or binding elementsproper, separated to showtheir form; v Fig.4, a perspective view on a small scale, of the post binder containing asupply of sheets or leaves, as in a sheetor order-blank binder, or thelike;

*Fig. 5, a longitudinal vertical section of the binding elements in aslightly modified.

form, with the clamps adjusted to release the posts;

Fig.6, a

set to locking position;

Fig. "?,a perspective view-lot the several parts of the clampingelementsproper,1 separ'ated' to show their form and-general rela tion;

of 'the complete binder with, a suppl fof filler sheetsor leaves;

It is desiirable that this mechanism similar viewbut with the clampsFig. 8,;a;per spect ive view on a small scale,

Fig. ,9, a longitudinal vertical sectional viewof a third form of thebinder mechanism, in releasing adjustment;

a similar view but with the slide moved to the left tocause the clampsto engage the posts;

Fig. 11, a perspective view of the parts of the mechanism separated toshow their appearance when removed from theenclosing shell or casing andfreed from the restraint exerted thereby upon the several springelements; 2 p

' Fig. 12, a perspective view of the two clamp members placed inproximity to show the right and left arrangement of their respectiveclamping members.

I shall first describe therembodiment of my invention illustrated byFigs. 1 to 4 inelusive. As there shown the binder comprises a base-plateor post support 1, provided with two posts 2 and 3, and a presser bar orfollower 4:. The baseplate or post support is here represented as'a flatbar of iron, steel, or other metal, to which is attaehed one end of eachof the posts 2 and 3. The manner of attachment is unimportant providedit be firm and secure, and permit no play or movement relatively to thebase-plate 1. The presser bar or follower 4 is shown of box-like form,or consisting of a base-plate or bar 5 of dimensions preferably the sameas those of the post support 1, and a cap or cover section 6 formed ofthinner metal, pressed or cut and folded to produce an inverted box orcasing to enclose the mechanism by which the follower as a whole iscaused to engage the posts 2 and 3 and to be held in close and pressingcontact with the leaves, sheets, signatures, pamphlets, catalogues, orother papers to be bound into book form. The cover section 6 may besecured to the plate 5 in any convenient or usualway, but I haveshownthe ends of the cover section provided witl downwardly extended tongues7, which are passed through openings in the base-plate 5' and clinchedor riveted on the lower face thereof, thus affording a. good fasteningfor said cover section 6. I

The embodiment of the invention now being described permits applicationand re-' moval of the presser bar or follower 4 to and fro the posts 2and 8 either laterally or by sliding the fell wer down lengthwise of orover the posts, thus limiting possible application of the binder tonotched sneets without completely separating, the base and followingmembers. This is effected by providing the follower base and cover withnotches or open slots 8 extending from theouter edge inward to a depthto permit'the follower to be positioned upon the posts to bring itsclampsor post-gripping elements into proper engaging relation with theposts under'either mode of application of the follower.

The clamping mechanism comprises pivotal or rocking clamps 9 and 10 ofthe form seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, two being shown, one for each post.It is to be understood, however, that any desired number'of posts may beemployed, and that at leastztwo will,

and if desired, any additional number of them may, each have such aclamp associated with it. Each clamp consists of a fiat plate 11 ofsteel orother suitable metal, with one end 12 bent downward at an angleof v4:5 degrees or thereabouts, and with a downwardlyextending leg 13 oneach side, reduced. at its lower end to form a short tenon 14. Thesetenons are of a size to enter'and seat loosely in openings 15, drilled,punched or otherwise formed in the base-plate 5 as shown in Figs. 1, 2and 3, and the shoulders at the points where the tenons 14 begin arepreferably rounded or beveled to afford a rocking surface, facilitatingthe tipping of ti e clamp upon said shoulders as a fulcrum er'pivot.

The main plate 11 of each clamp is formed with a slot 16 extendinginward from one side edge at a right angle thereto, to a point slightlybeyond the m1d width of said plate, the inner-end of the slot being hereshown asfof semicircular form to correspondio the cylindrical form ofthe post which the slot is to receive. The posts may,'however, be ofdesired fornr in cross section, the cylindrical form being commonly usedbecause convenient and economical. The slots 16 are slightly wider thanthe diameter of the posts 2 and 3, so that when the plates 11 of theclamps stand perpendicular to the posts there shall be no cramping orengagement thereof, but that upon tilting said clamps so as toelevateone wall of the slot and lower the other,

said slot.

It will .be noted thatthe two clamps 9- and10 are alike in constructionexcept for the fact that as they are to be reversed in their' relationtoqthe respective posts, they are made right and left, or have the slotsopening to opposite edges of the plate 11, if the clamps be viewed withtheir inclined ends pointing in the same direction. The slots 16thusextend in like direction or to ward the sameside of the respectiveclamps when the latter are placed in reverse positien, .as above pointedout. On referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that clamp 9 ispivoted to'the left oftlie proximate post 2, while clamp 10 is pivotedto the right of post 3, andas both slots 16, when the willre 'ister,with the slots Set the follower or presser bar it. a

"= is carried past '1- angle of thespringelement snugly in that of: thecover 6. The main or horizontal body of the-spring element 17 islongitudi nally slitted to produce a spring tongue 20, whichis bentdownward sot-hat'its' freeend lies normally orgnatural'ly out of planewith the body,-as seen infiFig. 3. This tongue 20,is at one side otthe*rnid widthl of the body of the springelement17, to clear the inner endof slots 8 and 16 ofthe presser barorfol-lower l, andthepostsiwhichenter said slots, and the forwarct'hal-f of the horizontalrbody 18 isshortenedso that its free end shall not reach into the slots or to thepost therein. The inner 'side ofbody 18 said 2 slots and lies- 1 againstthe 1 under face of cover '6, thus affording togetherwith theshortenedouter side, adequate support for the spring tongue 20.

To lift: theolainps9-and 1O from their tiltedholdi-ng position to whichthey are forced by 1 the free or spring tongueof the spring element 17,to horizon-tai or"post releasing positioin there is provided a slide 21of the form illustrated in Figs: 1, 2 and 3. This slide is made ofsuitable metal-or alloy, andqadvisably of such thickness as willpermititto be ='stamped-out or shaped by suitable dies. It is providedwith raised cent ral'-portion 22 at or aboilt"its midlength, tolie-against the under 'face of the'cov'er 6 of the follower, and thisraisedmid-portionhas secured to it a but ton 23,-the,rshankor stem ofwhich passes through a slot 24e-in-the'cover (S a-ind is screwed,riveted, or-otherwise securely ata'ched to said raised portion '22. Slot24 permits 3 button 23 to be moved longitudinally within the follower 4,the sections 25 and 26 of slide 21 extending in opposite directions from"the raised portion 22-a11d reachingnearly-to the ends of the cover 6:The sect1on-25-of slide 2 1- has at a short distance from its extremitya raised ribor bend 27 v which, -=under -longitudinal"move ment ofsaidsl 1de,'acts-as a cam to'rlde un-i der and hit the end-of themam-bo'dyor plate ll ot clamp 9 from the position which it occupies in l ig. 2'to-thatinwhichit isshown in 1,-tI1ejc1amp roe-king or tilting on the,-l'egs 13 as-piv" t Lt-supports. In thus fronii'ts'nclined'toit-shori-zontali ts 11 jot-cl mp 9 acts-inthe tongue; '20- of 'f-thespring ressiiig' fthe fsame; back] into rising element 1'1 plane-- withthe -portio'n' 18 -bi- *said left. ll hen the slide 1 sorin ton 'ue 20.as isclam b Efi 1 spring element, or practically sow As the camining rib27 vis drawn from: beneath the clamp 9, it is tipped to the positionshown in Fig. 2 by the downward pressure of the tongue at ,a pointbeyond or to the right of the pivotal support. The end of section ofslide 21 lying outside of orbeyond the rib 2'? is provided with a slot28 tovstraddie the post 2 and permit longitudinal play or movement: ofsaid slide, said slot being furnished the rib 27 for entrance and exitof the post. The. portion 30 oftheside wall of slot 28 which remainsafter forming the opening 29,- rides betweenthe proximate side wall ofthe covert) andthe post 2 when the slide ing ofthe clamp .9 and itscramping action upon the post. It thnsbridges and closes that end ofslots 8 of the base-plate 5 and cover 6 through which, under diii'erentadjustment, the post 2 is introduced 01' withdrawn; r v a The section 26of slide 21 extending from the raised portion-22 in a direction oppositethat of section 25, issimilar ly provided with a longitudinal slot 31open at its outer end, therebyproducingtwo portions32 and 33 of: unequallength,-of which the shorter part 33- oorrespondsin form and purpose tothe bridging "member 30 at the oppositeend of slide '21, and serves tocloser the slots 8' throughrwhichthe post 3 enters and is with-' drawn,the slot 31 permitting movement of the slide without encountering thepost 3,

The longer and wider portion32 is provided with a V-shaped rib or cam34;, similar to the rib or cam 27 ofthe-opposite branch of slide 21,except that it is of shorter measurement. Asshown' in F ig. 1, thecamsor ribs 27 and 34, whenpositioned to elevate or hold horizontal themain plate 11 of clamps 9 and 10, stand under the end of each clampopposite that which has the downwardly bent tail 12, brought by amovement of theslide 21 to the is moved in the righthand directiom-t-hecamming rib 27 moves from under the and entirely Fig. 2,. but owing tothe relatively reversed arrangement of clamp 10, the oammin'g rib 34Ebeneath it rides to a neutral point where its apex stands ben'eath, theangle formed by the downward bending-of the end-toproduce thetailportion '12. In this i has no influence oreiiect whatsoever upon the-cl'ampl0, which is hence thrown *down to its inclined for gripping p '9-'by its spring tongue QO, it be'ing noted this point=that the ,s" rinelements "17 are made ridhthnd with a lateral opening 29 near to whichposition they are from under said clamp positionthe rib or cam 34Cposition by the no I end ofcla-mp 9 to the right,

clear of the clamp as seen in It is believed that the operation of thedevice is clearv from the description already given of the constructionand functioning of the parts, and need not be further detailed. o I

-Figures 5 to 8 inclusive illustrate a second embodiment of theinvention, which in principle and effectis quite similarto thatabovedescrihed, but in this instance the clamps and the follower'areshown with circular openings for, the passage of the posts through them;the spring elements are diffferently' constructed; thebaseand followermembers are tubular form; and the slots extend" from the postopenings tothe edge o the follower are omitted.

Figs. 5' and 6 show the parts assembled and in their releasing andgrippingor binding positions respectively. In these figures designatesthe base member and 35 the fol-lower or ,sser bar, thelatterprovidedwith upstanding 'posts3'? and 38. The manner of making up the base 35andfollower 36 will be apparent upon referringtoFig. 7, the constructionof the 'two being essentially the same. A strip or sheet of metal of alength corresponding to the longitudinal measurement of the binding edgeof the 7 sheets to be inserted, or slightly longer than such edge, isfirst folded longitudinally on a line at or near its midnvidth, thebend'or fold beingpreferably of semicircular cross section. One free"edge is then, curled or bent to like form, and finally the other'freeedge is bent to similarly curved form and pressed into close contactwith the first curled edge. This may be conveniently ef-' fected bybending the metal sheet about a metallic bar of proper width andthickness. and having rounded edges, orin any other wellknown manner;JThis produces a very rigid structure, which though made of relativelythin metal and consequently relatively light, will withstand rough usagewithout bending or buckling.

The base member 35 is furtherstiffened and supportedagainst collapse bynipples 39, each internally threaded to receive the threaded lower endof one or another of the posts 37 0i 38. i hese nipples are rive eted,spun, swageth braZed, orwelded in place, and thus afford a very firmsupport for the posts in addition'to bracing thebase member 35. Theyalso preclude any opening or separation of the tubular body of the basemember. In all cases the posts 37 and 38 may, if desired, be formed ofseparable cylindrical sections, or may be made of oval metaltubing, bothbeing now commonly employcd. This is illustratedin Fig. 7 in the;respective posts -37 and 38. Theibase 35 is also provided with tubularhinge lugs 40 at one edge, bent Lip-out of tongues formed by slittingthe overlapping edge of the sheet -I and bending the; same intocylindrical form,

These hinge lugs serve to receive pintles or wires 41 by which to attachcover-boards 42 c (Fig. 8),- the cover-boards being similarly providedwith lugs alternating with those 0 the base 35 and follower 36. j Theclamps 43 each consist of a comparatively thin metal plate bent atapproximate- 'ly its Imidlength to form a gripping section 44 having anopening 45 ;to r encircle and grip the post, and a second serving toguide the clamp in its rocking movement. Theopemngs 45 of the clampswhen the latter are in position, registerwith openings 45 in the top andbottom walls of the follower 36. Each clamp 43 is provided at or nearits midlength with a transverse slot 47 to receive the upstandingmid-portion 48- of a clamp support consisting of a fulcrum-plate: 49conveniently formed by' bending up, one end of a metal plate 50 at aright angle to the body of s'aidplate, which latter forms a base for thefulcrum-plate 49,

and forfa similarly upstanding spacin g post or member 51 at theopposite end of baseplate 50, of a width somewhat less than the body of'plate'49 and base 50. Thus the base-plate50 with the upstandingportions 49 and 51 constitute a clamp support, fulcrum and guide, and aspacingmember be tween the upper and lower walls of follower 36. Theportion 48 of fulcrum-plate 49 is of a height to reach to the upper wallof follower 36, but said fulcrum-plate is cut away at either side of thepart 48 to an amount equal to or slightly greater than the thickness ofthe clamp 43, thus forming two bearing points or fulcra 52 for the plate49, just beneath the bendin said clamp and in plane with the upstandinlgportion 48. llhe upper ends of the fulcra 52 are preferably rounded, butmay be -V-shaped. 7

At the meeting line'of base-plate 50 and fulcrum plate 49 are formedperforations 53 through which are passed from the inner side, the freeends ofa staple-shaped spring member 54, the legs of said spring beingpassed through said perforations untilthe connecting end bar of-thespring rests directlyagainstthe fulcrum-plate 49,-after which the legsof the spring are bent upward and carried-overthe fulcrum-plate 49 andlaid into notches 55 between the fulcra 52 and the upstandingmid-portion 48,-the legs being left in a substantially horizontalposition, withfltheir free ends projecting slightly beyond and on'oppositesides of the spacing post 51, and practically flush with thetop thereof; They may, however, he initially above the post and'beforced down into the positionindicated in Fig. 7, when the base: la e'50 s'p d'with n h f llower 36 In lift the. actuating end of theclampmay be l employed.

the springs is found very satisfactory, I do not means to restrictmyself thereto, slnce any equivalent spring whlch will serve to Eachclamp-supporting plate is anchored or secured in place in any usual orconvenient manner. A simple way ofaccomplish ing this result is to placethe base-plate upon a suitable anvil or support, and to lay the follower36 with the inner face of its bottom upon the plate 50, both inverted,and with a well tempered cone-pointed punch form indentations in theexposed face of the" follower, which will cause correspondingprojections on the opposite face and indenta- ..tions in the undersideof base-plate 50, filled "by the projections forced out r.niate face ofvthe follower.-

on the proxi- This, however, is suggestive only;

t For positioning the clamps 43 to release the posts 37 and 38, there isprovided a slide 56, which may conveniently be formed of a i thin flatstrip of suitable metal or alloy, such as steel, phosphor bronze, or thelike. At its .inidlength this slide has a raised portion, as

shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, of a height to contact with the under face ofthe top Wall of follower 36 when the-remaining portions of of. Saidslide-56 is bifurcated at its ends, the space between the two forks ateach end beingsuch as to cause said forks to pass on opposite sides ofbut close to the base 50 of the clamp support, which thus serves as aguide for the-slide. The forks at one end of F .slideh56 are providedwith cams 57 of ap proximately inverted V form, which may be readily andcheaply, produced by bending the ends of said forks into the form showninyFig.-'7. Similar but slightly differently shaped cams 58 are in likemanner formed nearthe extremities of the forks at the other end of-slide56, The main body of slide 56 rests upon thefloor off tlie interiorspace of follower 36,'as seen inFigs. 5 andG and" slides thereon,movement being imparted to the slide by g a button 59 located just abovethe top wall with the raised portion of slide 56 by a shank or stempassing through a longitudinal top wall of said follower and raisedportion of said slide in 1 any convenient manner.

..Theparts being constructedasabove de scribed, are assembledin therelative posi- -..tions.illustrated in Fig. 5,-which shows the thelatter being preferred, lVhile this mode of forming and positioning ofthe follower, and connected to effect its-reciprocation.' indicated, thefollower 64 l lease one clamp springing ofthe post will'be efiectiivelyresisted by the other clamp, which willfbe made to bind proportionatelymore'tightly. l i hether the gripping ends'of th'e actuating ends ofcams 57 and 58be turned toward the extremities of follower 36 isimmaterial so far as concerns this mutually compensating actionof theclamps, but a slightly different in order to bring them to the mostadvantageous pos tions for alternately lifting the clamps and movingoutfofilifting position.

The operation of the device willbe 'apparent, and as in thehrstdescribed form requires merely the sliding of the button 59 thelengthofthe slot in; which its 'ishank consequent movement jof' thepositioning of said cams might be necessary and slightly variantembodiment 'lim' ing however, in common with the twojforms alreadydescribed, the material features of the invention, to wit T A-basemember of post-support provided'j with posts; a fol- I lower;postengaging clamps carried'by said the slide lie flat upon thebottom'wall there-f the followerwithin' which arelcontained the clampsand actuating slide. The c'lampsare of the same design, and fulcrumedin; the same manner as in tlie' construction shown in Figs; l'to8,"inclusive, but the t me isi'n the present instance placedfabove;instead of below'theclampsxand the spring elements "to 12 inclusive, 61

well as the cams are farmed integral with the slide. So, too, instead ofshowing the actuating button made'fastto the slide, it is here shown'asrotatable about a fixed axis and provided wi 11 an eccentrically placedpin movable in a transverse sl'o't'in the slide, Except as I thus say bethe same as in the embodiment of the inyenti'on town 65 designatestheslide provided at or near its midlength wvitl1a longitudinal slot 66through which passes the shank or stem 67 ole a turnbutton 68, said slot66 having also a lateral extension 69 to receive an eccentrically placedstud or pin 70 projecting downwardly from the under face of thebutton68. The stem 67 passes through openings in the upper andlower walls offollower 6 and has its lower end headed, riveted, or otherwise securedagainst pulling out of its seat in the lower wall of the follower, asseen in Figs. 9 and 10. The upper and lower walls-0ffollower 64: have ator about their midlength, circular openings 71 for the passage of stem.67, and'the upper wall has also a curved slot 7 2 to permit the.

movement of stud or pin 70 ina circular path, As seen in Fig. 11, thefollower 64 *is provided with slots 73 opening to its outer longitudinaledge, to permitapplica tionand removal of said follower to and from theposts 62 and 63 either longitudinally or laterally of said posts.

Slide 65 is provided with slot-closing" tongues 74: and 75, similar tothose of the second construction described; Separated from the free endof tongue 74 a distance sufficient to permit entrance or exit of post 62whenever tongues 7 k and 75 are suffi:

ciently withdrawn to clear the slots 73, is;

a spring finger 76 whiclnbeing curved upward slightly out of planewiththe body of slide 65, bears againstthe under face of the top wall offollower 64, and tends to press down that end of the slide of which itforms part. Lying next to and inwardly from the finger 76 ,is asubstantially V- shaped cam 77, integral with slide 65, and

formed by slitting said slide longitudinally 7 from about the free endof finger 76 to the base thereof, and bending the portion lyingbetweensaid finger and the mediallongitudinal line of slide 65, first downwardand then upward, to the shape shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. from cam 77the slide is again slitted to produce a long spring 78, the base ofwhich is coincident, or practically so, with the basesof finger 76 andcam 77, this spring 78 being bent downward at its free end.

edge of spring 78, that is to say, the edge lying toward the slottededge of fqllower 64, is located sufficiently inward to permitreciprocation of slide 65 without said spring finger colliding with post62. At its opposite end slide 65 has in addition to the slotclosingtongue 75, two downwardly bent members 79 and 80, of which 79 acts as aStill further inward '80 are, like those already described, integralwith slide 65, and are produced by longitudinally slitting said slidealong a common line, and severing the strip so produced at or about itsmidlength, thereafter bending down the two portions, one to form the cam7 9 and the other to form the spring The clamps 81 and 82 .are shown in.the several figures, but on a somewhat larger scale and in perspective,in Fig. 12. As in the first embodiment, they comprise each a flat metalstrip bent to form a main body portion 83 and tail or actuating portion84, the body portion of each clamp being provided with an open-endedslot 85 extend- 'ing inward from one longitudinal edge of the clamptoward the opposite longitudinal edge. The oppositesides of each clampare prov ded wlth supportlng legs 86, each with a short tenor. 87 toenter seats 88 in the lower wallof the follower shell.

The parts being thus fashioned are assembled within "the shell offollower 64 in brought through a right-hand longitudinal movement ofslide 65. Under such adjustment'the springs 78 and 80 lying over thetops of the clamps are brought into and held in plane with thebody ofslide65, and cam 77 will lie above and hold in its depressed positionthe actuating endm84 of clamp 81, while cam 79 having ridden beneath andlifted the free end of the notched body of clamp 82, will hold it inhorizontal or postreleasing position. Conversely, if slide 65 be movedlongitudinally to the left, as the parts appear in Fig. 9, cams 77 and79 will rideclear of the clamps, and permit springs 78 and80 bearingupon the upper faces of the notched portions at a point well in ad Vanceof the fulcra 87, to tip the notched section of each clamp downward atan angle to the post passing through the notch. In this way the clampsare caused to grip the posts firmly, and said clamps being fulcrumed.one to the right and the other to the left ofthe respective posts, willact-in opposition one -to the other and prevent the posts from springingor swaying in either direction, thereby precluding releaseof the ,clampsthrough either post assuming a po- As seen in Fig.11, the outerlongltudinal sition other than its normal position perpendicular tothesupporting base.v

means, and so as to other matters. The es similarly be tempered or maderesilient by proper heatt-reatment, hammering, rolling, or such otherusual treatment as is suited to the particular metal employed.

At least two posts are necessary to carrying out the invention above setforth, but the number may be increased as desired, and clamps may beapplied to two posts, or to more than two, but at least two of theclamps should be in opposed relation, one fulcrumed to the left of itsassociated post and the other fulcrumed to the right of its associatedpost, so that they shall act to prevent swaying or springing of theposts in either direction. As the several posts are connected both bythe follower and by the interposed sheets, pamphlets or articles bound,it is manifest that if two posts be so held and prevented from swaying,the others will necessarily maintain their perpendicular position, butgreater resistance will be afforded by providing each of a larger numberof posts with clamps, and arranging one half to brace against lefthandmovement and the other half to brace against right-hand movement. Sincemore than two posts cannot be employed without using at least two, andas the bracing effect is afforded in the use of two with the clamps inreversed position, two are mentioned in some of the claims for clearnessof definition, but recital of two is not intended to exclude employmentof more than two.

What is claimed is 1- 1. In a post binder, the combination of a baseplate provided with at least two posts; a follower having openings toreceive said posts; pivotal clamps carried by said follower, one foreach post, each clamps having its pivot on a side of the post oppositeto that on which the' pivot of the other clamp is located; and a singlelongitudinally movable slide carried by the follower and havmg camportions to act upon the pivoted clamps to move their post-grippingportions from gripping into non-gripping position when the slide ismoved in one direc tion, said slide being further provided with springmembers which act to restore the clamps to gripping position when theslide is moved in the reverse direction.

.2. In a post hinder, the combination of a base-plate provided with aplurality of posts; a follower having slots to receive said posts, saidslots extending to the outer longitudinal edge of the follower; clampscarried by said follower, one for each post; and a single longitudinallymovable slide provided with springs which serve when the slide is movedin one direction to throw the clamps to post-gripping position, and.further provided with cams and with slotclosing tongues, said camsserving to move the clamps to post-releasing position and withdraw thetongues from slot-closing position, when the slide is moved in thereverse direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

PAUL 0'. UN GER.

